Louver assembly



May 24, 1960 A. A. RowE 2,937,417

LOUVER ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 21. 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 L E Mv Z/ WmHmnhnvwmmwmql May 24, 1960 Filed Aug. 21. 1958 A. A. Rowr: 2,937,417

LOUVER ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 24, 1960 Filed Aug. 21. 1958 A. A.ROWE LOUVER ASSEMBLY 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 ZQMQZL/ May 24, 1960 A. A. RowE2,937,417

LouvER ASSEMBLY Filed Aug. 2l, 1958 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 aff/191mg@ UnitedStates Patent 2,937,417 Patented May 24, 1960 LoUvER ASSEMBLY Arthur A.Rowe, 1331 W. 107th St., Los Angeles, Calif. Filed Aug. 21, 195s, ser.No. 756,341

s claims. (ci. zii- 62) The present invention relates to an improvedclosure assembly for enclosing an opening in a building, such as awindow or a door. More particularly, the invention relates to such aclosure assembly of the movable louver type.

The louvers of the improved assembly of the invention are preferablycomposed of a soft translucent substance, such as spun glass or nylon.Such a composition adds materially to the appearance of the over-allunit, and provides a pleasant light filtering action. Each of thelouvers is supported on a pivoted rod. These rods not only pivotallysupport the louvers, but they also serve as a convenient stiffener forthe louvers. The end of each of these rods may conveniently extend intorespective bushings which are mounted in spaced frame members. Therframemembers are attached to the building at opposite sides of the opening inparallel relation. These frame members may suitably be composed ofredwood or any other appropriate substance.

The assembly of the invention can be used, as indicated above, as aclosure for a door or a window. The individual louvers' extend from oneframe member to the other across the opening in the building to enclosethat opening. The louvers can be supported between the frames in avertical position or in a horizontal position, depending upon individualpreferences.

An objective of the present invention is to provide an improved louverassembly in which th'e'individual louvers can be quickly removed, forexample, to permitV the cleaning of the window with which the assemblyis used. However, for security reasons, the assembly is constructed sothat the louvers can be removed only 1after an unlocking operation fromthe interior' of the building has been carried out. This is to preventthe unauthorized removal of the louvers-'by pr`owlers4 orv otherundesirable persons.

The objective outlined `in the preceding paragraph is t realized in theembodiment of the invention to be described by supporting the rods in aspring-loaded condition in their respective bushings, and by cocking thebushings in one of the frames in a manner to be described so as toprevent any axial movement of the rods. This cocking of the bushings inone of the frame members is achieved by mountingy them so that they canbe tilted with respect to the longitudinal axis of the various rods. Aresilient means is provided for holding the bushings normally in thistilted condition while the rods are in place. Then, the unlockingmechanism of the assembly functions to move the bushings against thisresilient means so that the rods can be moved axially to allow thelouvers to be removed.

The resilient cocking of the bushings described in the precedingparagraph serves an additional purpose in that it permits the easyremoval of the louvers after the unlocking operation has been carriedout. This follows because these resiliently mounted bushings allow thebottom, for example, of each louver to bel swung out from the lowerframe for removal, without bending the ment by their respective rods,and the louvers overlap y one another in this particular embodiment whenthey are moved to a closed position. This latter objective' of theinvention is accomplished by the provision of' a plurality of lockinglingers in one or both of the frame members. These fingers can `be movedby ai control inside the building between a retractedY and a protrudingposition. When the fingers are in their protruding position they arepositioned across the faces of respective' ones of the louvers securelyto hold the louvers in their closed overlapping condition. This providesa burglarproof structure when the louver or shutter assembly is' closedand locked. I

As will be described in detail, the improved assembly of the inventionmay be constructed so that all the louvers can be pivoted about thelongitudinal axes of their respective rods in unison by a unicontrolmechanism which, inturn, is controlled from the inside of the building.However, the construction is such' that one or more of the louvers canbe disconnected from the unicontrol mechanism for independent pivotaladjustment of that louver; v

Other advantages and features of theinvention' will become apparent by aconsideration ofvv the accompanying drawings, these drawings beingintended merely' to be an example of one particular embodiment oftheinvention.

f In the drawings: Y

Figure 1 is a perspective view` of one embodiment of the louver-typeshutter assembly of the presentinvention, this View showing the assemblyon the outside of a building to enclose an opening in the building, andwith the individual louvers of theassemblyexte'nding vertically acrossthe opening; l

Figure 2 is a top view of the `assembly of Figure 1, with the assemblybeing partially broken away toy revealY a linkage system between thevarious individual louvers and also to show an internalc'ont'rol for thelinkage system so as to provide for the opening and closing of: thelouvers in unison;

Figure 3 is also a top view of the assembly of Figure 1 with the topcover removed, this view showing an actl'- ating shaft which extendsacross they top Vof the assembly and which serves to control the lockingo"f the louvers in the assembly;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of various operatingcomponents of the assembly of Figure 1, on' an enlarged scale withrespect tothe view of Figure 1', this fragmentary view showing themanner in whichl a control shaft from the inside of the building servestov provide for the control of the opening and closing of the'individual louvers of the shutter assembly, and how a second controlshaft coaxial with the first shaftserves to' control they lockingmechanism of the invention;

Figure 5 is a sectional view, taken substantially on the line 5--5 ofFigure 4 to show the details' of a' dual control knob 'assembly yforperforming the controls mentioned above; v

Figure 6 is fragmentary perspective view of the shutter ner in which thebushings of they assembly are resiliently" l cocked for the reasonsmentioned above, the view of Figure 7 also showing a coupling meanswhereby the individual louvers may be removably attached to an actuatingarm joined to the unicontrol mechanism;

Figure 8 is an exploded view of the coupling means shown in Figure 7 bymeans of which the louvers are rotatably and releasably mounted torespective actuating arms included in the unicontrol mechanism of theinvention; and

Figure 9 is a side sectional view substantially on the line 9-9 ofFigure 4, this latter view showing further details of one of a pluralityof finger-like locking members that are incorporated in the shutterassembly of the invention securely to hold the louvers in a lockedcondition when the shutter is closed.

As shown in Figure l, the shutter or louver assembly of the presentinvention includes a pair of side frames 10 and 12, a bottom frame 14,and a top frame 16. The top frame is shown in Figure 7, this frame beinghidden by a` cover 18 in Figure 1. As also noted, the shutter assemblyof the invention is shown in Figure 1 as forming a closure for anopening in a building. This opening, may for example, be a window or adoor. For purposes of the present explanation, it will be assumed thatthe opening is a window.

The assembly of Figure 1 also includes a plurality of louvers which isshown as extending in a vertical direction, although these louvers may,if desired, extend horizontally. The louvers are supported on acorresponding plurality of elongated rods 22 which, in turn, arepivotally supported in the bottom frame 14 and in the top frame 16. Therods extend between these frames 14 and 16 in spaced and mutuallyparallel relationship.

The louvers 20 are supported by the rods 22 in an overlappingrelationship when the shutter is closed. As mentioned previously, thelouvers may conveniently be formed of a plastic such as spun glass ornylon, or of any other suitable material having a pleasant appearanceand preferably exhibiting soft translucent characteristics. Also, and asalso noted, the frames 10, 12, 14 and 16, and the cover 18 may be formedof redwood or any other suitable material.

A s shown more clearly in Figure 7, each of the shutters 20 is securedto its corresponding rod 22 by means of a pair of screws 24 and 26. Aplurality of bushings, such as the bushing 28, are mounted in the lowerframe member 14 by means, for example, of a pair of screws 30. Aplurality of coil springs, such as the coil spring 32, are supported inthe bushings, such as the bushing 2S. This spring may be maintainedwithin its bushing by means of individual bottom strips, such as thebottom strip 34 which is secured to the underside of the frame 14 byscrews such as the screws 36. The lower end of the corresponding rod 22extends into the bushing 28, and the spring 32 serves to spring-load therod.

A further plurality of bushings 40 are supported in the upper framemember 16. Each of these bushings 40 is surrounded by a tubularresilient member 42 which permits the bushing to be tilted with respectto the frame 16 against the resilience of this member. The tubularmembers, such as the Itubular member 40, are maintained in position bymeans of a strip 44 which is secured to the under side of the top frame16 by a plurality of screws such as the screws 46.

Each of the bushings 40 is secured at its upper end to a triangularmember 4S by means, for example, of a plurality of screws such as thescrew 50. A strip 52 is mounted on the top of the frame 16 by means of ascrew S4, and one of these strips and screws is provided for each of thebushings, such as the bushing 40. The strip 52 overlaps itscorresponding bushing and functions as a hinge. A resilient means, suchas the coil spring 56 in Figure 7, is secured to the top of the frame 16by means of a screw 58. The upper end of this coil spring bears againstthe under side of its corresponding triangular member 48 to tend to movethe member angularly in a counterclockwise direction about the hingeformed by its strip 52 and screw 54. This causes the bushing 40 securedto the member 4S to be moved angularly about an axis perpendicular tothe longitudinal axis of its corresponding rod 42 and spaced from theupper end of that rod. A coil spring 60 is included in the bushing 40,and this coil spring bears against the upper end of the correspondingrod 22.

As shown in Figure 3, for example, a separate top bushing 40 is providedin the upper frame member 16 for receiving the upper ends of each of theelongated rods 22. Also, each of these bushings is hinged at its rearedge by its corresponding strip 52, in the described manner. A firststrap member 64 extends across the top of the frame 16 to inter-couplethe triangular members 43 of a rst pair of adjacent bushings 40.Likewise, a similar strap 64 extends between the triangular members 48associated with a second pair of bushings 40 to intercouple these latterbushings. The straps 64 are secured to their respective triangularmembers 48 by screws 65. In the illustrated embodiment, four elongatedrods 22 are shown as supporting four louvers in overlappingrelationship. It will be understood, of course, that more or lesslouvers and associated rods may be used, depending upon the size of theinstallation; and that additional inter-connecting straps, like thestraps 64 and 66 may be provided.

As shown more clearly in Figures 4 and 6, a shaft 66 is rotatablysupported on the top of the frame 16 on a pair of journal blocks, suchas the block 68, and by means of a pair of arcuate straps such as thestrap 70 which are secured to respective ones of the blocks by screwssuch as the screws 72. A pair of arms 74 and 76 are secured to one endof the shaft 66 by means of a pair of plurality of set screws 78. Thearms 74 and 76 extend radially from the shaft 66, and a connecting stripis secured to the upper edges of these arms and extends between thearms, the strip 80 being so secured by a plurality of screws 82. A coilspring 84 is mounted on the top of the frame 16, and the top of lthisspring is secured to the under side of the strip 80 by means, forexample, of a.

screw 86.

The spring 84 tends to force the arms 74 and 76 upwardly to bias theshaft 66 in a clockwise direction as viewed from the left in Figure 4.The shaft 66 has a plurality of further arms such as the arms 88 securedto` it by means of respective set screws such as the set screws 90.IEach of the arms 88 extends from the shaft 66 in a radial directionacross the top frame 16 to a point adjacent the overlapping portions ofcorresponding adjacent louvers 20, when the shutter is closed.

A plurality of elongated locking ngers (Figure 9) such as the finger aresupported in the top frame 16. Each of these locking fingers extendsinto a bushing 102, and each has a retracted position, as shown by thefull lines in Figure 9, and a protruding position, as shown by thedotted lines in Figure 9. When one of the locking fingers 100 is in itsprotruding position, its pointed end extends down through the top frame16 and adjacent the overlapping portion of a pair of the louvers 20 whenthe shutter is closed. Therefore, when the locking fingers 100 are downin their protruding position, they serve securely to maintain theshutter in a closed and locked condition. Each of the locking tingers100 has a collar 104 secured to its upper end and which serves to limitthe downward motion of the finger. A short length of cable 106 extendsbetween the free end of the corre sponding arm 88 and the top of theassociated locking finger 100. This cable is secured to the end of itsarm 88 by a set screw 110, and it is secured to its locking linger 100by a set screw 113.

As shown, for example, in Figure 1, the shutter assem bly of the presentinvention is provided with an elongated angle member 110 which isadapted to fit over the edge of the lower frame 14. The angle `member110 may be moved reciprocally back and forth along the lower frame 14. Aplurality of links 1'12 are pivoted to the angle member 110, and thefree end of each of these links is secured to an edge of a correspondingone of the louvers 20. The linkage is such that when the angle member110 is moved along the frame 14 to the left in Figure 1', for example,all the louvers v20 are closed in unison. Then, when the angle member110 is moved along the frame 14 to the right in Figure l, the linkagecauses the louver members to be opened in unison.

Each of the louver members 20 is coupled to its corresponding link 112by means of a coupling 114. Details of the coupling 114 are shown in theexploded view of Figure 8. It should be pointed out that any of theindividual louvers 20 can be easily decoupled from its associatedcoupling 114 so that such a louver may be opened or closed independentlyof the others.

As shown in Figure 8, each of the couplings 114 includes an innerapertured block 120 which may, for example, have a hexagonal shape. Theblock 120 is secured to the edge of its associated link 112 by means ofa screw 122 which extends through the link and which may be threadedinto the block 120. The screw also passes through an -shaped bracket 124Whose lower portion is interposed between the bottom of the block 120and the top of the link 112. The corresponding louver 20 extends betweenthe bracket 124 and one face of the block 120. The louver is secured tothe coupler by a screw 126 which extends through the bracket 124 andthrough the shutter. Whenever independent adjustment of the shutter isdesired, the single screw 126 is removed to permit the shutter to bewithdrawn from the assembly. A cylindrical member 128 is fitted downover the hexagonal block 120, and is held in place on the block by ascrew 130 which extends through an end piece 132 for the member 128 andwhich is threaded into the top of the block 120. The member 12S isinterposed between the block 120 and the louver, and the screw 126passes through a hole in the member 128 and is threaded into the block120. The coupling assembly is supported rotatably on its link 112 sothatrthe link is free to rotate as it is actuated to open and close thelouver.

As shown in Figure 4, for example, the angle member 110 may be supportedagainst the lower frame 14 by a supporting track member 150 which, inturn, is supported on the frame 14 by a plurality of screws such as thescrews 152. The track member has a portion which extends up over theoutside of the angle member 110, and it also has a channel-like crosssection in which the angle member 110 can slide.

As best shown in Figure 4, an actuating shaft 156 may beV provided, andthis shaft extends from the interior of the building to the exterior.This actuating shaft has a cable 15S wrapped around it and secured to ananchor 160. The cable extends up through a rear portion of the shutterassembly and through the top frame 16 to the remote end of the arm 74 towhich it is secured. The shaft 156 is rotatably mounted on suitablejournals, and

a knob 162 is` secured to the inner end of the shaft by means of a setscrew 164. The knob is actuable from inside the building, and it may beoperated to rotate the shaft 156 and to movethe shaft 66 in acounterclockwise direction as viewed from the left in Figure 4. Thisserves to move the locking fingers 100 down into place when it isdesired to lock the shutter.

Y The shaft 156 is mounted with suiiicient frictional resistance so thatwhen it is rotated to move the shaft 66 angularly against the spring 84,the spring 84 has insuiiicient fjorce to return the shaft 66 to itsoriginal position. Then, the shutter is unlocked by manually turning theshaft 156 in the opposite direction to release the tension on the cable15S and permit the spring 84 to return the shaft 66 to its previousangular position. When the shaft 66 is so returned, the lockingtingers100 are moved from their protruding position to their retracted positionto permit the shutter lto be opened.

Returning to Figures 6 and 7, it will be noted that each of the strapmembers 64 has itsfree end secured to a cylindrical member such as themembers 170 which are movable in apertures in the top frame 16. Thesemembers 170 serve as guides for the straps 64'. The key can then begrasped and pulled downwardly to move .the members 170 and thereby pivotthe associated triangular shaped members 48 in'- a clockwise direction,as viewed in Figure 7.

The shaft 66 also has a further plurality of arms such as the arms 172keyed to it by means of set screws such as theset screw 174 (Figure 6).The arms 172, as shown in Figure 3, extend into engagement withrespective ones of the straps 64. The arrangement is such that when theshaft 156 is turned to move the shaft 66 in a counterclockwise directionas viewed from the left in Figure 6 so as to move the locking ngers 100down to their protruding locking positions, and upon a further rotationof the shaft 66 in that direction, the arms 172 move against the straps64 to rotateV each of the triangular members 48 down against the spring56 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 7. This causes each ofthe bushings 40 to be moved angularly from their cocked position asshown in Figure 7 to a position in which they are in substantial axialalignment with their respective rods 22.

It should be noted that so long as the bushings 48 are in their tiltedcocked positionshown in Figure 7, axial movement of the rods 22 isprevented and the louvers cannot be removed. However, upo'ri theactuation of the shaft 66 in the described manner, the assemblies canbe" moved angularly to uncock the bushings 40 and bring the bushingsinto axial alignment with their rods 22. Only then can the individualrods 22 be moved upward in an axial direction to permit the removal oftheir attached louvers 20. Y

A second shaft 200 is provided' coaxial with the shaft` 156, and a crankarm 202 is aixed to the outer' end of that shaft. A linkage 204 couplesthe free end of the crank arm 202 to the end of the angle member 110. Aknob 206 is secured to the inner end of the shaft 200 by means of ascrew 208. Rotation of the knob 206 causes the shaft 200 torotate-which, in turn, moves the crank arm 202 in a clockwise or in acounterclockwise direction. Movement of the crank arm 202 in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4' moves the angle arm110 to the left in Figure 4 to open the various louvers 20. The oppositemovement of the crank armV 202 causes the louvers to be closed.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the knobs 162 and '206 may be inter-coupledby a spring loaded pin-210. This pin is capable of being shifted' to afirst' position, as shown in Figure 5, in which the knob 206 can beactuated to rotate the shaft 200 independently of the actuation of theknob 162. However, the pin 210 can be moved to the left in Figure 5 sothat its end engages an aperture in the knob 162. When the pin is in thelatter position, both the knobs are actuated in unison'.l Thearrangement may be such that the rotation of both knobs to' gethercauses' the shutter to close and the locking lingers then to come downinto place. Axial movement ofA the pin 210 is limited by a stud 212which extends radially through a portion of the knob 206 and` through aslot in the pin. A spring loaded detent arrangement 214 serves tomaintain the pin 210 in either of its two axial positions.

As noted briefly above, when the louvers 20 are supported in the shutterassembly of the invention in their normal operating condition, the topbushings 40 are cocked in the manner shown in Figure 7. This preventsthe unauthorized removal of the louvers, because the upper end of eachrodr 22 is incapable of axial movement in its corresponding cockedbushing 40. However, when it is desired to remove one or more of thelouvers, for example, to clean the associated window, the knob 206 canbe rotated independently to bring the shaft 66 to its extreme positionin which the arms 172 are forced down on the straps 64. This expedientcan be used to move the top bushings 40 angularly about the transverseaxis so as to bring these bushings into axial alignment with theirrespective rods 22. Each rod 22 can then be manually moved upwardlyagainst the springs 60 to release its lower 'end from the correspondingbushing 28. When the lower end of the rod is so released, its upperbushing 40 may then be returned to its inclined position of Figure 7.This facilitates the removal of the louver since it permits the lowerend of the rod 22 to be swung clear of the lower frame 14, withoutbending its upper end or damaging its upper bushing 40 or the upperframe 16.

The invention provides, therefore, a new and improved louver typeshutter assembly in which the shutter itself can be securely locked tobe burglar-proof, and in which the individual louvers are normally heldin an unremovable condition, but which can be easily adjusted so thatthe individual louvers can be removed for cleaning purposes. Moreover,and in the described manner, the louvers constituting the shutter of theinvention may be controlled in unison to open or close the shutter, orthe louvers are capable of individual movement in the described manner.

I claim:

l. A closure assembly for an opening in a building, and the like,including: rst and second parallel frame members, a plurality of louvermembers extending between the frame members in mutually spaced parallelrelation, respective means for supporting the louver members in theframe members for pivotal movement, a plurality of bushing memberspositioned in at least one of the frame members for receiving respectiveones of the supporting means, means for so positioning the bushings inthe frame member `for limited angular movement about an axis spaced fromthe ends of the louvers and traversing the respective longitudinal axesthereof, and resilient means for biasing the bushings about saidtraverse axis to lock the louvers between the frame members and therebyto prevent the removal thereof.

2. A closure assembly for an opening in a building, and the like,including: lirst and second spaced parallel frame members, a pluralityof elongated rod members supported at their respective ends in theparallel frame members and extending between the frames in mutuallyspaced parallel relation, a corresponding plurality of louver membersmounted on respective ones of the rod members and supported therebybetween the frames for pivotal motion about the respective longitudinalaxes of the rod members, spring loading means including a irst pluralityof bushing members mounted in the first frame member for receiving oneof the ends of respective ones of the rod members, a second plurality ofbushing members positioned in the second frame member for receiving theother ends of respective ones of the rod members and capable of limitedangular movement about a transverse axis spaced from said other end ofthe rod members.

3. A closure assembly for an opening in a building, and the like,including; first and second spaced parallel frame members, a pluralityof elongated rod members supported at their respective ends in theparallel frame members and extending between the frame members inmutually spaced parallel relation, a corresponding plurality of louvermembers mounted on respective ones of the rod members and supportedthereby between the frame members for pivotal motion about therespective longitudinal axes of the rod members, spring loading meansincluding a rst plurality of bushing members mounted in the irst framemember for receiving one of the ends of respective ones of the rodmembers, a

second plurality of bushing members positioned in the second framemember for receiving the other ends of respective ones of the rodmembers, the bushing members of the second plurality being capable oflimited angular movement about a transverse axis spaced from said otherends of the rod members, and resilient means for biasing the bushingmembers of the second plurality about the transverse axis to lock therod members between the frames and thereby to prevent the removal of thelouvers.

4. A closure assembly for an opening in a building,

' and the like, including: irst and second spaced parallel framemembers, a plurality of elongated rod members pivotally supported attheir respective ends in the parallel frame members and extendingbetween the frame members in mutually spaced parallel relation, acorresponding plurality of louver members aixed to respective ones ofthe rods and supported thereby between the frames in overlappingrelation for pivotal motion about the respective longitudinal axes ofthe rods, a first plurality of 'bushing members mounted in the firstframe member for receiving one of the ends of respective ones of the rodmembers, a corresponding plurality of resilient members positioned inrespective ones of the bushings of the rst plurality for spring loadingthe rod members, a second plurality of bushing members positioned in thesecond frame member for receiving the other ends of respective ones ofthe rods, means for mounting the bushings of the second plurality in thesecond frame member for limited angular movement with respect to theframe member about a transverse axis spaced from said other ends of therods and essentially perpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rods,and resilient means for biasing the bushing members of the secondplurality about the transverse axis to lock the rod members between theframe members and thereby to prevent the removal of the louvers.

5. A closure assembly for an opening in a building, and the like,including: first and second spaced parallel frame members, a pluralityof elongated rod members pivotally supported at their respective ends inthe parallel frame members and extending between the frames in mutuallyspaced parallel relation, a corresponding plurality of louver membersaflixed to respective ones of the rods and supported thereby between theframes in overlapping relation for pivotal motion about the respectivelongitudinal axis of the rods, a iirst plurality of bushing membersmounted in the rst frame member for receiving one of the ends ofrespective ones of the rod members, a corresponding plurality of springmembers positioned in respective ones of the bushings of the rstplurality for spring loading the rod members, a second plurality ofbushing members positioned in the second frame member for receiving theother ends of respective ones of the rod members, means for mounting thebushings of the second plurality on the second frame for limited angularmovement with respect to the second frame about a transverse axis spacedfrom said other ends of the rods and essentially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axes of the rods, resilient means for biasing the bushingmembers of the second plurality in a rst angular direction about thetransverse axis to lock the rods between the frames and thereby toprevent the removal of the louvers, and releasing means for moving 1thebushings of the second plurality in the opposite angular direction aboutthe transverse axis against the biasing force of the resilient means topermit axial movement of the rods between the frames for the removal ofthe louvers, said bushings of the second plurality subsequently beingreleased to be moved in the first angular direction about the transverseaxis by the resilient means to permit such removal of the louvers.

6. A closure assembly for an opening in a building, and the like,including: rst and second spaced parallel Vframe members, a plurality ofelongated rod members pivotally supported at their respective ends inthe parallel frame members and extending between the frames in mutuallyspaced parallel relation, a corresponding plurality of louver membersaiixed to respective ones of the rod members and supported therebybetween the frames m overlapping relation for pivotal motion about therespective longitudinal axes of Ithe rods, a trst plurality of bushingmembers mounted in the rst frame member for receiving one of the ends ofrespective ones of the rod members, a corresponding plurality of springmembers positioned in respective ones of the bushings of the firstplurality for spring loading the rod members, a second plurality ofbushing mem-bers positioned in the Second frame member for receiving theother ends of respective ones of the rod members, means 4for mountingthe bushings of the second plurality in the lsecond frame member forVlimited angular movement with respect to the second frame about atransverse axis spaced from said other ends of the rods and essentiallyperpendicular to -the longitudinal axes of the rods, at least one strapmem-ber interconnecting at least some of the bushings of the secondplurality, resilient means engaging the strap member for lbiasing theinterconnected bushings of the second plurality -in a irst angulardirection about the transverse axis tolock the rods between the framesand thereby prevent the removal of the louvers, and release means formoving the strap against the biasing force of the 4resilient means topermit axial movement of the rods between the frames for the removal ofthe louvers, said bushings of the second plurality being subsequentlyreleased to be angularly moved in the first direction about thetransverse axis by the resilient means to permit such removal of thelouvers. Y

7. A closure assembly for an opening in a building, and the like,including: rst and second spaced parallel trame members, a plurality ofelongated rod members pivotally supported at their respective ends intheparallel frame members and extending therebetween in mutually spacedparallel relation, a corresponding plurality lof louver members atlxedto respective ones of the rods and supported thereby between the framesin overlapping relation for pivotal ymotion about the respectivelongitudinal axes of the rods, a first plurality of bushing membersmounted on the iirst Aframe member for receiving one of the ends ofrespective ones of `the rods, a corresponding plurality of springmembers positioned in respective ones of the bushings of the lirstplurality for spring loading the rods, a second plurality of bushingmembers positioned lin the second frame member for receiving the otherends of respective ones of the rod members, means for mounting thebushings of the second plurality in the second frame mem-ber forllimited angular movement with respect to the Isecond frame about atransverse axis spaced about said other ends of the rods and essentiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rods, a correspondingplurality of resilient tubular members surrounding respective ones ofthe bushings of the second plurality to resiliently support the same inthe second frame, a spring member positioned in each of the bushings ofthe second plurality to assist in the spring loading of the rods, atleast one strap member interconnecting at least some of the bushings ofthe second plurality, resilient means engaging the strap member forbiasing the interconnected bushings of the second plurality in a firstangular direction about the transverse axis to lock the rods between theframes and thereby to prevent the removal of the louvers, and releasemeans for moving the strap against the biasing force of the resilientmeans to permit axial movement of the rods between the frame members forthe removal of the louvers.

8. A closure member for an opening in a building, and the like,including: rst and second lspaced parallel frame members, a plurality ofelongated rod members pivotally supported at their respective ends inthe parallel frame members and extending between the frames in mutuallyspaced parallel relation, a corresponding plu rality of louver membersatiixed to respective ones of the rod members and supported therebybetween the frames in overlapping relation for pivotal motion about therespective longitudinal axes of the rods, a lirst plurality of bushingmembers mounted in the lrst frame member for receiving one of the endsof respective ones of the rods, a corresponding plurality of coilsprings positioned in respective ones of the bushing of the firstplurality for spring loading the rod members, a second plurality ofbushing members positioned in the second frame member for receiving theother ends of respective ones of the rod members, means for mounting thebushings of the second plurality in the second frame member for limitedangular movement with respect to the second frame about a transverseaxis spaced from said other ends of the rod members and essentiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axes of the rod members, acorresponding plurality of resilient tubular members surroundingrespective ones of the bushingsv of the second plurality to resilientlysupport the same in the second'frame, a coil spring positioned in eachof the bushings of the second plurality to assist in the Spring lloadingof the rods, strap member means interconnecting the bushings of thesecond plurality, resilient means engaging the strap member means forbiasing the bushings of the second plurality in a first angulardirection about the transverse axis to lock the rods between the Iframemembers and thereby to prevent the removal of Ithe louvers, releasemeans for moving the strap member means against the -last-namedresilient means to permit axial movement of the rods between the framesfor the removal of the louvers, said bushing of the second pluralitybeing subsequently released to be moved angularly in the iirstydirection about the transverse axis by the resilient means yto permitsuch removal of the louvers, a plurality of elongated iinger-likelocking members positioned in the rst frame member for axial movementtherein between a retracted position and a protruding position for eachlocking member, the locking members engaging respective ones of thelouvers when in their protruding position to maintain the louvers in aclosed overlapping position, a rotatable shaft, and a plurality of armsaixed to said shaft and extending radially therefrom into coupledrelation with respective ones of the elongated locking arms, andresilient means for angularly biasing said shaft to urge the lockingmembers to their retracted position.

2,077,135 Walker Apr. 13, 1937 Shinsky Dec. 8. 1896

